The Word today, 04A
- Admin
- Jan 31
- 3 min read
February 02 - February 07, 2026
The Presentation in the Temple
Malachi 3:1-4 This rather fierce prophecy was offered at a time of religious reconstruction after disaster. There is no mistaking the plain meaning that it is the leadership which is in need of purification.
Hebrews 2:14-18 As we can see from the stories of his birth, Jesus can help us because he is one of us. This closing of the gap with humanity makes him the ideal priest, mediating God’s grace to us all.
Luke 2:22-40 There are so few elderly people in the New Testament, that it is delightful to find such wonderful characters as Simeon and Anna, still full of faith in old age.
St Ansgar, bishop; St Blaise, bishop, martyr
2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30-19:3 This is one of the most moving stories in the entire Old Testament. Absalom has rebelled again his father, but David still mourned him as his son.
Mark 6:1-6 It is surprising to see Jesus unable to do anything, so this scene is certainly historical. We do can block the action of grace in our own lives.
2 Samuel 24:2,8-17 In the Bible, why would a census be a sin? Possibly because the people belong to God, not to the king. True to his character, David repents, but is punished all the same.
Mark 6:1-6 This remarkable story is surely historical because it shows the powerlessness of Jesus. It is also a hint to us: sheer familiarity can close our eyes and our hearts to what God is doing today through the Gospel.
St Agatha, virgin and martyr
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 The tumultuous career of David comes to a close and, as his death approaches, he has advice for Solomon, his son and successor.
Mark 6:7-13 Jesus empowers the twelve to undertake the very same ministry of proclaiming and healing. They are to travel light, taking nothing extra that might impede them and also taking the risk of being welcomed or not, as the case may be.
St Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
Ecclesiasticus 47:2-13 David’s status grew after the Exile in Babylon. Our reading today is a late Jewish reflection, which helps us to see how people viewed David just before the time of Jesus, himself a son of David.
Mark 6:14-29 At the hands of Mark, the death of John the Baptism foreshadows the destiny of Jesus. The arbitrariness of John’s beheading—to honour an oath spoken in a frivolous moment—is still shocking.
St Mel, bishop
1 Kings 3:4-13 This scene is a key to Solomon’s reputation for wisdom. God’s makes a very open offer to Solomon and, significantly, he opts to the spiritual gifts, which would make him famous.
Mark 6:30-34 It is instructive to see that Jesus himself was aware of need to balance life and work, prayer and ministry. This is true of us all in our different roles. At the same time, Jesus felt compassion for the crowd and, in spite of his own need of rest and refreshment, actually responded to the need of the people.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026j, February 1). Fourth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
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